Family: Bucktown beating victim starting to walk

An exchange student from Northern Ireland who was beaten with a baseball bat in Bucktown in April has been able to walk, talk and breath on her own, according to the woman's family.

Bernadette McShane, the girl's grandmother, said she spoke to her granddaughter this past weekend and heard her say "hello" for the first time since the attack.

"It was absolutely marvelous, I can't explain it. ... Anyone who knows Natasha knows that anything she goes to do, she puts in 110 percent,'' McShane said from her home in Northern Ireland. "That's the type of girl she is, she's been working very hard to overcome those difficulties."

Natasha McShane, 23, is undergoing therapy at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where she has been since being transferred from Northwestern Memorial Hospital on May 14.

Bernadette McShane said the girl's parents, who have been at her bedside, have told her that Natasha is able to speak more words every day and has begun to slowly eat solid food. She was able to have her first sip of tea early this week.

According to a statement released from the rehab institute, her family said she has made positive response to the speech, occupational and physical therapies administered by the hospital staff.

When Natasha McShane got to the hospital, she was unable to talk, walk or move her arms, according to the statement.

"Today, she is walking with assistance, has started to use her arms for functional tasks and has begun to talk," according to the statement.

The statement also noted that a tracheotomy which was used help her breath has been removed and "she is now breathing completely on her own."

The statement noted that she was "slowly relearning to eat and drink."

But according to the statement and McShane's grandmother, there is still no clear time frame on when McShane could return to her home.

"We are mindful that the road ahead of her will be long and hard," the statement said. "Nevertheless, we are extremely hopeful that we will eventually get our beautiful daughter back to a place where she will be able to lead a full, meaningful and independent life."

Sunday has been dubbed Natasha McShane Day, and the Irish community is planning two fundraisers in her honor.

The first will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 North Knox Ave., Chicago. A noon mass will precede the event. There will also be a benefit at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th Street, Oak Forest, from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday.